Katzenthal village in Alsace, surrounded by the vines of the Grand Cru Wineck-Schlossberg.

Grape pickers at harvest time on the rolling hills of vineyards in the Chianti Classico region

Autumnal tints highlight the vines leaves of Domaine Lafont’s parcel on the La Madone slopes, with Fleurie in the foreground

Very old vines on the highest slopes of Domaine Boutinot, overlooking the village of Cairanne

Young vines around the Lac de Salagou, adjacent to Domaine de Malavieille

Domaine Alquier in the mist-enshrouded valley of the river Tech at the foot of the Albère mountains

Chianti flagons outside a tiny vineyard in the hills of the Classico region between Sienna and Florence

Clos Bagatelle in the heart of Saint Chinian

WHAT IS THE WINE CLUB?

Founded by Alan Scott and Stuart Calder in 1978, the Wine Club was established with the intention of finding top quality wines at reduced prices. It is now run by Stuart Calder, with the aid of the wine club committee. We are a non-profit making enterprise and each member purchases a £50 share on joining the Club. This share acts as the buying capital for the wines, and a small mark-up on each bottle pays for any administrative costs. Please note that only members can buy from the club.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

There is an annual list of 70 to 80 wines, with a small description of each wine. In addition we send out regular offers of featured wines throughout the year, which comprise a mixed case of two to four wines, based on a theme - e.g. Classic Chianti, Marvellous Minervois, Mediterranean Whites, Alsace at its Best etc.. To order, the member simply uses this site to order by email, and the wine is put out in the Cellars at the weekend, ready for collection.

WHO FINDS THE WINES?

Many of the wines are specially imported by the Wine Club and enjoy an exclusivity in the U.K. Stuart makes three trips each year to France or Italy to discover new gems for the club. The samples from these trips are then tasted blind by the committee, and the best value wines are chosen for importation. Wines from other countries are discovered by attending the better trade wine tastings each year.

WHY ARE THEY SUCH GOOD VALUE?

We use our buying power to buy 50 to 100 cases at a time, importing directly from the country of origin in over 50% of the purchases and thus achieve excellent savings. With no further wine merchant's profit to further inflate the price, we then make even further savings, which are passed on to members of the Club. As an example, wines available to Club members for only £6.95 a bottle, are often available in the shops for £8.99.